Serena Williams loses to Ana Ivanovic in Australian Open
- January 19, 2014, 2:12 pm
- Sports News
- 131 Views
MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Online): Serena Williams went out of the Australian Open as a back injury hindered the five-time champion against a rampant Ana Ivanovic.
The Serb came back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 - her first ever victory over Williams in five attempts.
There had been reports before the match that Williams had a back problem, and so it proved.
"I almost pulled out. I'm such a competitor, I probably should have," said the world number one.
"I don't want to blame anything. I feel like Ana deserves all the credit. I feel she played unbelievable today. I think she went for her shots."
Ivanovic went into the match with a 0-4 record against Williams.
The reigning French and US Open champion had been tipped by some to complete the Grand Slam of all four major titles in 2014.
Ivanovic is a former world number one and 2008 French Open champion, but since then she has reached just one major quarter-final at the 2012 US Open.
A 0-4 record against Williams gave little cause for optimism either, but from the outset Ivanovic was able to threaten the American's usually impregnable serve.
The Serb fashioned four break points in the opening set, converting one, but was broken twice as Williams edged it.
Ivanovic took over from that point, her once fragile serve holding up well as Williams appeared to struggle with her movement, and she did not face another break point.
Williams was warned for a time violation when serving to stay in the contest and managed to save two match points, but Ivanovic closed it out nervelessly with a love hold after one hour and 56 minutes.
"I was very consistent," added Ivanovic.
"I just went out there swinging and I think I did that really well."
